5 Strategies for Effectively Eradicating Candida
Candida albicans, a fungus, is the most common form of candida overgrowth in the gut. It can lead to numerous symptoms within the gut and systemically, such as gas, bloating, constipation, brain fog, skin problems, immune system dysfunction, thyroid issues and more. Today we’re going to cover how you can begin to rebalance your gut and clear candida overgrowth holistically.
Will Antibiotics Clear Candida?
First, let’s talk about antibiotics and candida. Because candida is a fungal infection, antibiotics won’t clear candida. Not only will they not clear this overgrowth, but they will actually make the infection grow stronger and root deeper into the digestive lining as a protection mechanism. While there are anti-fungals that can be taken, most cases of candida can be cleared using natural anti-fungal and antimicrobials, which we’ll discuss here.
An Anti-Candida Diet
Nutrition plays a huge role in the clearance of candida infection. If you google a “candida diet”, you’ll likely see extremely restrictive zero sugar diets that promise to help you clear candida. The truth is, these diets alone will not be enough for long-term recovery. We like to take a balanced approach using both dietary intervention that is less restrictive, with the combination of high quality anti-fungal herbs and supplements for the most impact.
Foods That Feed Candida
It is important to focus on keeping your sugar intake very low though. Removing refined sugars, such as table sugar, fructose, corn syrups and cane sugar, refined carbohydrates such as breads, pastas and desserts, and alcohol, are all extremely important for clearing candida. You’ll also want to look at removing hidden sources of sugar, such as juice, sugary sauces, salad dressings and supplements like protein, vitamins or electrolyte drinks containing sugar. Don’t replace these sugars with artificial sweeteners, “sugar-free” alternatives, highly refined gluten-free foods and kombucha though, as this will only fuel the issue.
Foods That Kill Candida
Food is powerful and many things found in nature have anti-candida properties! Here are some anti-candida foods, as well as the active candida killing chemicals they contain.
Coconut oil, MCT oil or C8: contains caprylic acid
Garlic: contains the potent antimicrobial allicin
Onions: contain sulphur
Oregano: contains carvacrol and thymol
Thyme: contains thymol
Raw honey: contains hydrogen peroxide
Olive oil: contains antioxidants and oleuropein
Cinnamon: contains cinnamaldehydes
Cloves: contains anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties
Probiotic foods like sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables
Apple cider vinegar: contains probiotics and other anti-fungal properties
Wild salmon: contains omega-3s
Grass-fed beef: loaded with nutrients and won’t feed candida
Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower: contain sulphur and other nutrients to break down candida and support detoxification
Lemons: supports detoxification
Using Herbs for Clearing Candida
We always use a combination of nutrition and supplements when working with any of our clients with candida. Not only are many herbs helpful in clearing candida, but they also have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which also make them effective for killing other microbes that commonly accompany candida, including H pylori, SIBO and parasites. Certain supplements that contain caprylic acid, oil of oregano, berberine, grapefruit seed extract, clove, garlic, Pau d’arco and others can have great results. It’s important to not just kill the bug though, but support the entire system and the overall terrain, detoxification processes and organs involved in the overgrowth in the first place.
Always consult your healthcare provider before taking anti-candida herbs and supplements.
Candida Testing Is Key
If you think you have candida, the best way to test is through GI-MAP, which is our comprehensive stool analysis that looks at gut dysbiosis and imbalances, pathogenic bacteria, yeast, parasites, immune and intestinal markers and more to give you the most thorough root-cause assessment of your gut.
Book a call with us today to get started!
